Well, today I crashed and burned, and it was entirely on account of my own stupidity! First, I decided to sleep in and start my run at 9:30. On any other weekend, it would have been fine, but it has been hot in Phoenix all week, and the high today is supposed to be back up in the mid-90s. So I knew it would be warm, but I was prepared.
So, I started my normal run on the canal, stopping at water stops, not thinking about the fact that, because it was later, the coach people would come and pick up their coolers! I had planned on running 12 miles on an out-and-back course along the canal, but when I got to about 3.5 miles, I decided to mix it up. So I ran into a residential area. I wasn't sure where I was, but then I came across the street where my mother grew up. So, I thought, yippee! I'll run down memory lane, all the way to her old house. So I did, and it was beautiful. It's a wonderful older neighborhood full of character (and trees and grass!) with a great view of Camelback Mountain.
Anyway, I was running along, it was getting warmer, and I finally realized that (1) my water was very hot, and (2) it was almost gone. And, has everyone ever had a hot Gu? It is disgusting-don't ever do it! It took me almost to my turnaround point to realize: there is a reason I stay on the canal-water! I never think about it, because I just top off my water bottle at every stop, so I always have a full bottle. Oops!
I realized the 12 miles was not going to happen. I made it to 8 miles, and then I had to walk. I walked one mile to the gas station, called my husband to come get me, and walked one more mile to where he picked me up and took me to my car. He, on the other hand, ran 16 miles at a great pace! I guess that's what happens when you run early and hydrated! Oh well. I still ran over 30 miles this week, and I WILL NOT sleep in next Saturday!!!! |